Even with Paddy Pole absent, a strong dale side immediately began to put Altrincham to the sword. Paul 'bad news' Keys opening the scoring on 3 minutes with Steve Nutt adding the extras. A patch of back and forward play resulted in Nutt charging down a Kersal kick in open play to collect and dot down under the sticks for a 7 point score. Kersal regrouped and kept Dale out of their 22 for a good 20 minutes before a kick collected by winger Danny Harrison, was returned with interest - making 70m and giving Dale the platform to truck the ball up close to the Kersal line, Jamie Albinson taking advantage of some lax ruck defence to scamper over for the first of his two tries. Only minutes later he dived for his second, this time exploiting a gap wider out in the Kersal defence. Converted by Nutt. The half closed with Wynand Van Zyl scoring in the left corner after some good handling from the Dale backs; this left Kersal with some work to do to recover from the 31 point deficit they had.

The second half began with a different tune, Kersal were instantly on the front foot and threatening the Dale line. Only stern defence kept the home side scoreless for the time being. Dale's big runners provided the platform and momentum for phases to be turned into a score - Wynand Van Zyl picking up his second try of the game in the left corner. Converted by Nutt. Only minutes later, a pick from the base of a scrum, attacking the Kersal line, saw Danny Collins in behind the defence, subsequently popping the ball to oncoming second row Johan Goosen to score. Once again Nutt was accurate with the boot to add the extras. Kersal didn't give up and spiritedly attempted to attack from everywhere; including their own line. Their efforts were aided when flanker Andy Dauncey and prop Ian Marshall were both yellow carded within minutes of each other. During this period the home side notched up two unanswered and unconverted tries. Dale attempted to regroup but the sin-binnings and pressure from Kersal had unsettled their rhythm. It was not until the last 10 that they once again found their feet after Nutt intercepted a pass from a promising attack to sprint 60m to score. Dale's final score of the day came on the final whistle when replacement Will Sharratt darted over following some good territory. Nutt converted to bring an end to a fruitful day out for 2nd place Dale - who look set for a playoff appearance with only Beverley and Waterloo to play.